Swan Hellenic unveils thrilling 2026-2027 Raja Ampat diving expeditions to explore beneath the waves
Swan Hellenic has just unveiled a series of exciting SCUBA diving expeditions that further enrich four of its exclusive East Asia voyages, each exploring Raja Ampat aboard the luxury boutique expedition ship SH Minerva. Diving enthusiasts with PADI Advanced Open Water certification have a choice of two sailings in 2026 and a further two in 2027. Each of them offers multiple dive opportunities on custom adventure dive boats, accompanied by expert dive masters and an exclusive concierge service. Complete quality equipment will be provided, from masks, fins and snorkels, to wetsuits, BCDs, regulators, weights and tanks. All permits are also organized, so that divers only need to provide their own dive computers, travel, medical and dive insurance.
With each 10- and 11-day voyage offering 5 to 6 astonishing SCUBA dives, Swan Hellenic has created fabulous vacation opportunities not only for diving buddies, groups and clubs, but also for their non-diving friends and family. They can sail in the company of their companions, safe in the knowledge that they’ll love the renowned variety and comfort that a Swan Hellenic cultural expedition cruise has to offer – all while exploring the beauty of the planet’s most biodiverse marine sanctuary, Raja Ampat.
Indeed, all guests are offered accessible, fully-inclusive snorkeling expeditions rich in incredible experiences, including swimming with plankton-feeding whale sharks in the world-famous Cenderawasih Bay National Park.
The dives in Palau Kri, Palau Fam, Palau Mansuar and Ayu Atoll are organized with private dive boats that take the divers directly from the ship to world class diving sites. All the dive excursion packages are very attractively priced and tailored to suit individual preferences including full or half-days starting from USD 250 for a single-dive excursion.
Upping the irresistibility, enthusiasts who book any of these 2026 and 2027 sailings before the end of February can take advantage of Swan Hellenic’s generous Elevated Expeditions sale, which combines big ticket savings with free wi-fi upgrades and onboard credit, plus additional benefits for groups of 8 guests and more.
The ultimate elevation is that Swan Hellenic has no restrictions on this sale. In fact, it encourages enthusiastic adventurers to take full advantage. So diving enthusiasts can sail big to save big, and book both 2026 cultural expedition cruises back-to-back for an amazing extended experience, even making sure of their return next year, confident that no great dive – or Swan Hellenic voyage – is ever the same.
The first voyage in this special dive series is Secrets of the Coral Triangle: West Papua and Raja Ampat (Elevated Expeditions inclusive prices from USD 7,925), departing from Sorong on April 18th, 2026, and returning on the 28th after 10 nights exploring the Coral Triangle. This is where West Papua and Raja Ampat host the world’s richest underwater biodiversity and is best reached by sea for in-depth discovery of its tranquil lagoons, coral atolls and jungle-fringed shores.
Guests will be able to explore the vibrant waters of Cenderawasih Bay, swim with gentle whale sharks near Kwatisore, and take in the limestone wonders of Misool. Along the way, they will encounter missionary history and World War II remains, warmly welcomed by island communities whose traditions are rooted in the ocean and natural world.
The 6 unforgettable dives offered include legendary Kabui Bay, Pulau Kri, Pulau Fam and Pulau Mansuar favorites such as Mioskon – a haven of coral ledges for yellowtail and bluestripe snappers, wobbegong sharks and Pontohi pygmy seahorses, Blue Magic with its underwater pinnacle, Mayhem Reef and its rich, sea-mountain world, Cape Kri – renowned for a record-breaking 283 species recorded in a single dive, Galaxy Reef – famed for its schooling barracudas, and Yenbuda Jetty, a multicolored paradise of diversity.
Following on immediately afterwards is Heart of the Pacific Isles (Elevated Expeditions inclusive prices from USD 8,720), an 11-night cultural expedition cruise across and beyond the Coral Triangle, departing Sorong, Indonesia, on April 28th, 2026, and arriving in Manila, the Philippines, on May 9th.
This thoughtfully-curated voyage takes guests from Raja Ampat across the lesser-travelled Southern Philippines to its vibrant cultural heart, Manila. As they explore, guests will discover limestone cathedrals, untouched atolls, and white-sand shores sheltering coral kingdoms of extraordinary beauty, where remote island traditions keep humanity and nature in perfect harmony.
The amazing 5 dives offered will immerse guests in the splendors of Pulau Penemu, Pulau Fam and Pulau Mansuar, including Melissa’s Garden with its glorious three pinnacles, Batu Rufas and its garden eels, sea turtles, reef sharks and longfin batfish, then the thrilling Keru Channel – famed for its fast descent and abundant reef life, followed by Manta Ridge – a haven of manta rays and blacklip butterflyfish. The final dive will be Sawandarek Jetty, where guests can explore a magically clear haven of lush coral, batfish, fusiliers, Napoleon wrasse and yellow sweetlips that’s perfect for underwater photography and snorkeling.
The 2027 voyages follow the same itineraries and are also included in Swan Hellenic’s big Elevated Expeditions sale of ticket savings, free wi-fi upgrades and onboard credit.
Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay: Indonesia’s Coral Triangle departs April 16th, 2027, and docks in Sorong on April 26th. The Elevated Expeditions inclusive prices for this 10-night cultural expedition cruise start from USD 8,110.
Raja Ampat and Philippines: The Last Paradise on Earth departs Sorong on April 26th, 2027, and arrives in Manila on May 7th. The Elevated Expeditions inclusive prices for this 11-night cultural expedition cruise start from USD 8,920.
Full information on all four voyages together with their special Elevated Expeditions prices – which are only available until February 28th, 2026 – can be found on Swan Hellenic’s dedicated Elevated Expeditions website.
Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “It gives us great pleasure to extend our guest discovery beneath the waves on these four exceptional voyages. They each bring a new dimension to exploration of the most biodiverse marine paradise on Earth – and exciting new opportunities to see what others don't.”